Survey data for vascular plants in 240 plots inside and outside a 900 ha area with a deer exclusion fence in Nikko National Park, Japan

The data file contains 240 rows × 126 columns. Forest stands and plot setup: Study area: 24 forest stands identified (12 larch, 12 oak) in the southern portion of the fenced area. Replicate stands: Each stand paired with a replicate within 300 m on opposite sides of the fence; stands without replicates within this distance were excluded. Plot establishment: Total plots: 10 circular plots per stand = in total 240 plots (120 inside, 120 outside the fence). Plot size: Each plot covers 10 m², centered on a larch or oak tree. Plot layout: Plots were placed at least 10 m from other canopy trees (>30 cm DBH) to avoid influences from species other than larch and oak. Data collection: Dwarf bamboo: Average height measured from five random points per plot. Understory vascular plants: All species, including trees and shrubs <1.3 m tall, recorded. Species cover: Measured using a modified Braun-Blanquet cover class system with seven cover categories. Braun -Blanquet scale Cover range (%) Used in calculations (%) r <0.1 + 0.1 – 1 1 1 – 5 2 5 – 25 3 25 – 50 4 50 – 75 5 75 – 100 *For dwarf bamboo, which was very abundant, 100% cover was used for category 5. This did not affect the calculations. Taxonomic groupings: Grouped species: Dwarf bamboos: Sasa spp. (S. kurilensis, S. nipponica, S. palmata, Sasamorpha borealis). Graminoids: Carex, Juncus, Luzula, Poaceae. Non-flowering specimens: Rosa, Rubus, Viola (excluding Viola tokubuchiana var. tokubuchiana which was registered separately). Maple seedlings: Acer spp. (excluding A. rufinerve which was registered separately). Birch seedlings: Betula (B. platyphylla var. japonica, B. ermanii). Euonymus species: E. alatus, E. macropterus, E. sieboldianus (excluding vine E. fortunei). Nomenclature: Follows Wamei checklist version 1.10 (Yamanouchi 2022) https://gbif.jp/activities/checklist/wamei_checklist_110